Apparatus for applying tops to can bodies



March 21, 1944. 1 F. KRUEGER 2,344,546

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING TOPS T0 CA N BODIES Filed March 5, 1940 15 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN'TOR. FRANK KRUEGER A TTORNEY5.

March 21; 1944. F. 'KRUEGER APPARATUS FOR APPLYING TOPS TO CAN BODIES 15 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 5, 1940 INVENTOR. FRANK KRUEGER )lw M4 ATTORNEYS.

ANA 0%? Q NE mvw March 21, 1944. KRUEGER 2,344,546

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING TOPS TO CAN BODIES Filed March 5, 1940 15 Sheets-Sheet 3 INV ENT OR. FRANK KRUEGER ATTORNEYS March 21, 1944. F. KRUEGER 2,344,546

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING TOPS TO CAN BODIES Filed March 5, 1940 15 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR FRANK ARuEaER ATTORNEYS.

March 21, 1944.

F. KRUEGER APPARATUS FOR APPLYING TOPS 'IO CAN BODIES Filed March 5, 1940 l5 Sheets-Sheet 5 l N VENT OR. FRANK KR L/EGER AM rx ATTORNEYS.

j March 21, 1944. F. KRUEGER APPARATUS FOR APPLYING TOPS TO CAN BODIES Filed March 5, 1940 15 Sheets-Sheet 6 F INVENTOR.

Lg FRANK KPUEGER '5' ATTORNEYS.

March 21, 1944. KRUEGER 2,344,546

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING TOPS TO CAN BODIES Filed March 5, 1940 15 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR. FRA NK kin/505R BY Wm;

v A TTORNEYJ.

March 21, 1944. F; KRUEGER 2,344,546

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING TOPS TO CAN BODIES Filed March 5, 1940 15 Sheets-Sheet 8.

Fig. 15'

INVENTOR. r FRANK KRUEGER WIMW ATTORNEYS.

March 21, 1944. F. KRUEGER Y 2,344,546 APPARATUS FOR APPLYING TOI S TO CAN BODIES Filed March 5, 1940 lSSheets-Sheet 9 I INVENTOR. FRANK ARL/EGER ATTORNEY-S.

March 21, 1944. F. KRUEGER 2,344,54

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING-TOPS TO CAN BODIES 5 /Z6 we f INVENTORv FRANK KRUEGER a MMW@ WATTORNEYJ March 21, 1944. F. KRUEGER 2,344,546

I APPARATUS FOR APPLYING TOPS I'O CAN BODIES Filed March 5, 1940 15 Sheets-Sheet ll 9 i 4 I I /4s 1 1! I INVENTOR. FRANK KRUEGER ATTORNEYS March 21, 1944. F. KRUEGER 2,344,546

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING TOPS TO CAN BODIES Filed March 5, 1940 15 Sheets-Sheet 12 INVENTOR. FRANK KRUEGER ATTORNEYS.

wyw g h March 21, 1944. Y F. KRUEGER 2,344,546

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING TOPS T0 CAN BODIES Filed March 5, 1940 15 Sheets-Sheet l4 ATTORNEYS.

March 21, 1944. 2,344,546

' APPARATUS FOR APPLYING TOPS T0 CAN BODIES Filed March 5 1940 15 Sheets-Sheet 15 INVENTOR. FRANK KRUEGER ATTORNEYS,

Patented Mar. 21, 1944 APPARATUS FOR APPLYING TOPS T CAN vBODIES Frank-Krueger, Milbrae, CaliL, assignor to E. W. Bliss Company, Brooklyn, N. Y, a corporation of Delaware Application March 5, 1940, Serial No. 322,327

4 Claims.

This invention relates, as indicated, to apparatus for applying ends to containers such as cans and the like.

In my co-pending application, Serial No. 288,- 977, I have disclosed apparatus for feeding'containers, such as can bodies from one fabricating operation to another, and more particularly, the feeding of filled can bodies into a can head seaming mechanism by means of which the cantop is aflixed to the can body. The seaming mechanism and associated elements were only fragmentarily illustrated in such application.

The present application is concerned more particularly with the means for assembling the bodies and tops in relation to be seamed and for transferring the assembled parts to a seaming mechanism.

A primary object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for continuously assembling and securing can tops and can bodies while moving in predetermined paths designed not only to conserve space, but to materially increase the production of seamed cans.

Another object of the invention is to Provide novel means in the form of a revoiuble dial for assembling can bodies and tops in relation to be seamed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to the same,

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of apparatus embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view, partly in plan and partly in section, on the plane of the can top travel;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the can body and top feed dial;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the can body and top feed dial, taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; I

- Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the can top magazine, with a portion broken away to more clearly show the mechanism for actuating the no-feed cams;

Fig. 6 is a view partly in front elevation and partly in section of the magazine shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the magazine shown in Figs. 5 and 6;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the nofeed cams;

Fig. 9 is a view partly in plan and partly in sec-' tion of the can top feed mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of designate like parts throughout the can top feed mechanism, taken on the line Iii-l0 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the can top stripper;

Fig. 12 is a development of several knives of the can top stripper;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary elevational view of one of the can top feed fingers;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view of the drive for the can top feeding and stripping mechanism, taken on the line l t-i4 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 15 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section taken on the line l5l5 of Fig. 1, and showing the can top embossing mechanism and the drive for the can top feeding mechanism;

Fig. 16 is a view, partly in plan and partly in section of the mechanism shown in Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of cam mechanism for actuating the can top embossing mechanism;

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line I8-l 8 of Fig. 1'7;

Fig. 19 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the multiple-spindle double-seaming head;

Fig. 20 is a view, partly in elevation, and partly in section. of one of the double-seaming members;

Fig. 21 is a horizontal cross-sectional view, taken on the line 2 l-Zl of Fig. 20;

Fig. 22 is a plan view showing the relation of the seeming rolls to the roll actuating cam lever;

Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view, showing the clutch and brake o! the seaming head driving mechanism;

. Fig. 24 is a iragmentary plan view, showing the clutch and brake actuating levers;

Fig. 25 is a view, illustrating more or less diagrammatically the hydraulic control means for the clutch and brake;

Fig. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the can top pilot valve;

Fig. 26a is a cross-sectional view of the can body pilot valve;

Fig. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the relay valve;

Fig. 27a is a cross-sectional view of the relief valve:

Fig. 28 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, taken on the line 28-48 of Fig. 2,

and showing mechanism for actuating the can top pilot valve;

Fig. 280 is a. cross-sectional view, taken on the line 28a-2Ba of Fig. 2;

Fig. 28b is across-sectional view taken on the line 28b28b of Fig. 2;

Fig. 29 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 29-29 of Fig. 2, and showing therelation of the can body and top at the beginning of their movement in the seaming head;

Fig. 30 is a view similarto Fig. 29, taken on the line 30-30 and showing the relation of the can body and top immediately prior to the seaming operation;

Fig. 31 is a view similar to Figs. 29 and 30, and showing the finished product;

Fig. 32 is an enlarged view, showing the transfer oi the can body and top from the feed dial to the seaming head.

Fig. 33 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line 33-43 .of Fig. 34, and showing a portion of the driving mechanism;

Fig. 34 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the driving. mechanism, taken on the line 36-34 01 Fig. 33; and

Fig. 35 is a plan view of the idler gear supporting arm, shown in Fig. 3d.

For the purpose of feeding the can bodies to the apparatus, mechanism similar to that disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 288,977, is employed. Such mechanism, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, includes an endless belt 5, which passes over a pair of pulleys, only. one of which, designated by reference numeral 2, is shown. The pulleys, and consequently the belt is driven from a sprocket 3 mounted for rotation in synchronism with a spiral driving mechanism which includes a rotatable spiral 4, which revolves about a stationary cylindrical element 5 flattened on its top as at 6 to provide a can body supporting top which is substantially flush with the belt I.

Can bodies are fed to the endless belt conveyor l and by it are carried into a path defined by guide rails 1 and 8 extending at a slight angle to the axis of the spiral member, as shown .m Figs. 1 and 2, these rails acting to guide can bodies 011 of the belt 9 and onto the top 8 of the element 5, from which they are fed to seaming mechanism by means of a feed dial to be presently described. The detailed construction of the foregoing can body feeding mechanism is described in the aforesaid application, towhich reference may be had for further description thereof.

Can body and top feed dial The dial and associated mechanism for feeding the can bodies and tops to the seaming mechanism is shown most clearly in Figs. 1, '2, 3, a and 32.

Such mechanism includes a vertical rotatable shaft 9 having keyed thereto a sleeve it) provided at its upper end with a horizontal flange or dial ll having a multiplicity of circumferentially spaced radially extending recesses 22 on the periphery thereof. Disposed ineach of these recesses is a radially movable block it, which is maintained against displacement in a vertical direction by means of upper and lower retainer plates is and i5 respectively, which have a con= tour generally similar to that of the recesses iiZ but are somewhat larger in area than the latter. The blocks l3 and plates M and is are secured together by means of stove bolts it.

Secured to the plates as, as by means of pivot pins H, are brackets is, the pins having per tions of reduced diameter which extend through the plates I4 and blocks i3, thread portions en gaged by the plates l5 and end portions pr0= vided with cam rollers it. The rollers is are adapted to traverse a cam track 23 in the upper portion of a stationary cam plate 2i, which is concentric with the shaft 9, and is secured, as by bolts 22 to a bracket or other support '23. The cam track 20 is, for the most part, circular, but at a predetermined point thereof, as is indicated by reference numeral 24 in Fig. 4, is

formed to cause a slight radially outward movement of the rollers IQ, for a purpose to be herematter described.

Secured, as by set screws 25, to each ofthe brackets i8, is a can body and can top supporting mould member 26. Each member is in the form of an arc of slightly less than 180, and is counterbored to provide ledges 27 and 28, the functions of which will presently be described. It may be stated at this point that when the bracket l8 and its support are in positions radially outward of the positions shown in Figs. 3 and 4, as effected by the high cam portion as indicated at 24, they are capable of a limited degree of pivotal movement about the pins H, the extent of such movement being determined by stop plates 29, which are secured to the dial H by means of cap screws 30. The plates 29 have beveled surfaces 3|, which, in the normal position of the brackets l8, are engaged by similarly beveled surfaces 32 on the brackets.

Concentric with the dial I! and spaced therefrom a distance approximately equal to the diameter of the cans to be fed by the dial is an Can top feed mechanism Mechanism is provided for feeding the can tops from a stack of such tops to the feed dial which has been described, such mechanism and associated mechanism being most clearly illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 5 to 15 inclusive.

Disposed adjacent the feed dial is a can top magazine, which, as shown in Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive, includes a cylindrical casing 31 within which is disposed a stack of can tops T, indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 10. The casing 31 is counterbored to provide a ledge 39, upon which is mounted an oscillatable ring gear 49, this gear being maintained against vertical displacement by means of an annular cover plate 4| which rests upon the casing 31.

The gear 40 forms a part of mechanism which is designed to prevent removal of can tops from the magazine at such times when can bodies are not being fed to the apparatus. Such mechanism includes a pair of cam members 42 disposed in the casing 3'5, with one of such members diametrically opposite the other. Each cam member is supported upon a thrust bearing 43 which rests upon the plate ll and is thus oscillatable about its vertical axis. Each member is also provided adjacent its upper end with gear teeth in which are in mesh with the gear 461, and is provided at its lower end with a shoe 55.

The shoes 35 are normally maintained in the position shown in Figs. 5 and 6 by the movement of the. can bodies B, indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 1, past a lever 43. In passing this lever,

causing it to move in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, which, in turn, imparts movement to a series of connected levers 48, 48 and 58, thence to an arm projecting from the ring gear 48, thereby moving such arm to the position shown in Fig. 5. The ring gear, as a result of this movement of the arm 5|, rotates sufficiently to in turn rotate the cam members 42 to move the shoes 45 clear of theopening in the casing 81, thereby permitting can tops to be removed from the bottom of the magazine.

In the event that there is a cessation of can body movement past the lever 48, a coil spring 82, which interconnects the arm 5| with a bracket 58 on the casing 31, causes the arm to move in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 5, resulting in oscillation of the cam members 42 to bring the shoes 45 in the path of movement of the can tops, thereby preventing removal of such tops from the magazine. The casing 81 and plate 4| are recessed to provide shoulders which act as stops for determining the movement of the arm 5| in both directions.

The can top magazin is stationarily mounted on a bracket 54, which, as shown in Fig. 15, extends from the frame 55 ofthe apparatus, and

has iournalled therein a vertically extending shaft 58, having a driving gear 51 secured thereto adjacent its lower end.

As shown most clearly in Figs. 1, 2 and 9 to 16, inclusive, the shaft 86 carries on its upper end a sleeve 58. A drive plats; 58 is threadedly secured to the lower end of the sleeve 58. Disposed above the drive. plate 58 and about the sleeve 58 is an annular sleeve-like member 88 having outwardly extending flanges GI and 82 at its upper and lower ends respectively, said flanges providing an annular recess 83 for the reception of levers 64, mounted for pivotal movement about pins 55, which are in threaded engagement with the flang 62.

Each of the levers 84 is provided with a radialiy outwardly extending bracket 68 upon which is removably secured, as by screws 81, a feed finger 88. Each lever 84 is further provided with a socketed extension 88, between which and the member 58 is disposed a coil spring 18, designed to permit pivotal movement of the lever 84 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 9. Movement of the lever 84 in the opposite direction is limited by a stop pin II, which, as shown in Fig. 13, is threadedly secured to the flange 82 of the member 88. .The function of the springs 18 will hereinafter appear.

The member 88 is adapted to be driven by the drive plate 59, and for this purpose is provided in its upper face with a series of V-shaped recesses I2 (Fig. 14), into which extend drive pins 18, which are normally maintained in such re-- countered by the feed fingers 88. In other words,

extended portion, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. looks the member 88 to the plate 58. Surrounding the sleeve 58 is a plate 'I'l having four circumferentially spaced stripper knives 18, which are adapted to strip the cantons from the bottom of the stack. Each knife has a sharp forward edge 18 and. an undercut surface 88, it being noted at this point that the knives are in staggered relation with the feed fingers 88.

Disposed immediately below the plate II is a second plate 8| having four circumferentially spaced radial projections 82 which provide support for the knives I8 and have undercut surfaces 88 which are, in effect, continuations of the surfaces 88. Below the plate 8| is a spacer plate 84 of an outer diameter smaller than that of the plate I1, and below the plate 88 is a plate 85 of somewhat larger diameter than that of the plate 84 for supporting the can tops after they have been stripped from the stack. The plates ll, 8|, 84 and 85 are secured to the flange ii of the member 88 by means of screws 81.

As the can tops T are stripped, one at a time. from the bottom of the stack (see Fig. 10,). by means of the knives 78, each knife stripping one top, the inner edge of each top falls onto the ledge 88, the undercut surfaces 88 and 83 facilitating this operation. The outer edge of such top momentarily remains at the knife level, being supported at such level by means of an arcuate guide 88. Then, as one of the fingers 88 pushes such top in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2, the outer edge thereof descends to the level of the ledge 88,, the ledge of the guide 88, upon which such outer edge of the top rests, gradually sloping downwardly for this purpose.

Can top embossing mechanism in a die holder 84, which is removably secured, as

by means of a set screw 95, to an arm 88, pivoted as at 91 to the frame 55.

The arm 98 has a pin 88 extending transverse- 1y therethrough to which is pivotally secured the lower end of a rod 88 (Figs. 1'1 and 18). The upper end of the rod 89 has secured thereto, as by means of nuts I88 and IN, a sleeve I82 provided at its lower end with a flange I83. Slidably mounted on the sleeve I82, between a nut I84 which is threadedly secured to the upper portion of the sleeve and a coil spring I85 whose lower end abuts the flange I83, is a block I88, within the ends of which are received pins I87, which are threadedly secured to the arms I88 of a lever I88.

The lever I88 is keyed to a stub shaft I II which is journalled in an extension III of a housing H2, such shaft having also keyed thereto, in offset relation to the lever '9, a second lever 8,

provided at its inner end with a cam roller H4.

The roller II4 rides in a cam groove 5 (see Fig. 23) in a rotatable cam 8. As the cam H8 is rotated, the lever H3 is oscillated, resulting in reciprocating movement of the rod 88, and hence repeated movement of the dies 88 which operation, the spring expands, causing the feed finger 68 to reassume its normal position.

The embossed tops are fed onto the ledges 28 and 36 of the dial members 26 and guide 35 respectively, and are carried by the dial to a position in which each can top directly overlies, or is in registry with, the can body. The relation of the can body and top immediately prior to their removal from the aforesaid dial and transfer to the seaming mechanism is clearly shown in Fig. 29.

seaming mechanism Mechanism is provided for applying the can 'tops to the bodies by two seaming operations,

such mechanism being best illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 32.

Such mechanism includes a rotatable gear 1 which revolves about a stationary shaft 0, the gear I" having secured thereto, as by bolts II9, a head I having a depending tubular central portion I2I upon which are mounted six circumferentially spaced can body and can top support-' ing members I22, each of which is in the form of an arc of slightly less than 180 degrees and is counterbored to provide ledges I23 and IN which are coplanar with the ledges 2'1 and 20 respectively, of the members 20 of the feed dial.

The head I20 has a plurality of tubular extensions I25 depending therefrom, the axes of which are in alignment with the axes of the members I22, and disposed for rotation within such extensions are hollow spindles I28 to which are secured removable chucks I21. lilxtendina through:

the spindles I28 are knock-out rods I20, to the upper ends of which are secured sleeves I29 having laterally extending stub shafts I 30 upon which are mounted cam rollers I31 adapted to traverse a cam groove I32 in a stationary cam I33. The cam I33 is designed to lower the knockand I43 respectively, tubular casings I46 and I41, the ears I44 and I45 being disposed angularly with respect to each other, such angularity being maintained by tightening a nut I48 which causes the ears to tightly engage each other.

Mounted within the casing I43 and I respectively, are revoluble spindles I49 and I50, to the lower ends of which are secured, as by means of bolts I5I, seaming rollers I52 and I53 respectively. One of these rollers is designed to perbe used for seaming cans of different diameters means are provided for varying the angularity between the casings I48 and I41. Such means comprises a pair of members I55 and I55 which are clamped to the shaft I39 at apoint intermediate the ears I44 and I45, 'as by means of screws I56, the member I55 being keyed to the shaft, as shown in Fig. 21. The member I55 is provided with ears I51 and I58, having adjusting screws I59 and I60 secured therein. These screws may be locked in adjusted position by means of lock nuts IGI. radially extending projections I62 and I63 of the casings I46 and I41. Fig. 21 shows, for. purpose of illustration only, the two extreme angular positions of the casings I40 and I41 relative to the spindle I 32 as effectable by adjustments of the screws; I59 and I60. While the aforesaid adjustment is designed primarily to vary the angularity between the casings, it may also be used for the purpose of making such slight adjustments as are required to bring the seeming rollers in proper relation with the cans to be seamed.

Secured to the tubularportion I2I of the head I20, 'so as to be rotatable therewith, is a spider I64 having circumferentially spaced openings I55 in which are disposed hollow spindles I55, which, by means of springs I61, resiliently support sleeves IE8, carrying thrust bearings I69, upon which are rotatably mounted can body lifts I10. These lifts are adapted to be elevated and loweredat 45,predetermined intervals, and for this purpose, an

out rods so as to strip the cans from the chucks I21 at the conclusionof the seaming operations. The chucks I21 have flanges I34 at'their lower ends wh ch fit within the can tons and engage the flange at the periphery of such tops so as to cooperate with the seaming rolls to produce the desired seams at the tops of the cans.

Means are provided for continuously rotating the chucks I21, such means including a rotatable shaft I35 which is disposed within the tubular portion I2I of the head I20 and is splined at its upper end to a sleeve I36 having keyed thereto a gear I31 which is in mesh with pinions I38 which are keyed to the spindles I26.

Mounted within the head I20 for rotation by such head and for oscillation about their own axes are shafts I39 to the squared upper ends of which are securedupwardly and angularly extending levers I40 which carry cam rollers I4I, such rollers riding in a cam groove Ifi2-in the lower surface of a stationary cam M3. The function of this cam will be presently described.

Portions of the shafts I39 extend exteriorly of the head I2@ and have pivotally secured thereto, as by means of their vertically spaced ears I46 annular stationary cam MI is provided, having a cam surface thereon adapted to be traversed by cam rollers I12 mounted on pins I13 which extend from the spindles I65. It will be noted that the lifts I10 directly underlie and are in axial alignment with the chucks I21. In order to prevent rotation of the spindles I06 about their axes, the pins I13 have mounted therein rollers I13a, which move in vertical slots I'13b in the spider I64 during upward and downward movement of the spindles, thus preventing the spindles from turning.

Driving mechanism The various units which have been described are adapted to be driven'in synchronismwith each other,'and for this purpose driving mechanism is employed, which is best illustrated in f igs. l, 17, 23, 24, 33,34 and 35.

Such mechanism includes a driving pulley or sheave I16, which is driven by a belt or other suitable drive means (not shown) and which, in turn, drives the main drive shaft I15, through the intermediary of spring-pressed balls I15, plate Ill, bolts I18, clutch housing I19, clutch drive plates I80, and clutch driven plates IBI and I82, the drive plates and driven plates being brought into frictional engagement with each other by means of a pressure plate I83, which is energized by a dog I84, when a dog-actuating member I is moved to the position shown in Fig. 23.

The screws are adapted to engage The member I85 is keyed to, but axially movable relatively to, the shaft I and is adjustably secured to the end of a rod I86 which extends through the shaft I15 and is slidable with respect to said shaft.

Adjustably secured to the other end of the rod I86 is a brake-dog actuating member I81, which has an annular groove I88 therein for the reception of the pins I69 of a brake actuating bellcrank lever I99. The lever I99 is pivoted, as at I9I, to a bracket I92, which extends from the housing of the apparatus, and is adapted to be actuated through the intermediary of a hand lever I93, a shaft I94, 9. bell-crank lever I95 and connecting rod I96. An adjustable stop I96a is provided on the bracket I92 for limiting the extent of movement of the lever I93. The lever I93 is thus effective to manually start or stop the apparatus.

The member I81 is slidable with respect to the shaft I15 and, in energizing the brake, such memher is moved to the left from the position shown in Fig. 23, thereby depressing the dog I91 and energizing the brake I98,-which is generally similar in construction to the clutch. When the brake is thus energized, it will be apparent that the clutch is deenergized.

The shaft I15 has keyed thereto a bevel gear I99,'which is in mesh with a bevel gear 299, which drives a vertically extending shaft 29I, as well as the cam H6. The shaft 29I has secured thereto a pinion 292 which drives the gear I I1, and thus, the seaming mechanism.

The shaft 29I carries at its lower end a gear 4 I9 which, through an intermediate or idler gear H I, drives a gear 4I2, which is keyed to the shaft I35 of the chuck rotating mechanism. The shaft I35 also drives a gear 3, which, in turn drives a gear 4l4, which is keyed to the shaft 226a by which the wheel 226 is driven. The gear 4I2 also drives a gear 5, which is keyed to the shaft 9, and the gear 4I5, in turn, drives the gear 51, which is secured to the lower end of the shaft 56. The idler gear 4 is mounted for rotation on a shaft 4 I6, which is secured to the end of an arm 4 I 1,' which is mounted for pivotal movement about the shaft I35. The gear housing carries a bracket 4I8, having a series of holes 4I9, which are arranged concentrically about the axis of the shaft I35. The arm 4I1 has a pair of spaced openings 429, through which bolts or screws may be passed, and which are adapted to enter the openings M9 to maintain the arm M1 in any desired position about the axis of the shaft I35. When it is desired to change the speed of the apparatus, it is Such means is best illustrated in Figs. 1, 24, 25, 26, 26a, 27 and 27a, and may be described as fol lows:

A plunger I93a is mounted in a cylinder 294, which is secured to the bracket I92, and is adapted to be supplied with a fluid, such as oil, from a tank or reservoir 295, the oil from such reservoir being pumped to such cylinder by means of a pump 296 through a strainer 291, conduit 298, check valve 299, conduit 2I9, conduit 2I I, relay valve 2I2, and conduit 2I3. The valve 2I2, as shown in Fig. 2'1, comprises a cylindrical casin having a longitudinal bore 2 I2a therein'in which a plunger 2 I4 is disposed, such plunger being normally maintained in'the position shown, as by means of a spring 2 I 5 whichis interposed between the upper end of the plunger and a nut 2I6 provided with a passage 2I1, a conduit 2 I8 being secured to this nut. The valve has an inlet opening 2I9 and an outlet opening 229 which is in offset relation to the opening 2I9, the opening 2I9 communicating with the conduit 2I I and the opening 229 with the conduit 2I3. Communication between the openings 2I9 and 229 is normally cut off by a portion 22I of the plunger 2I4, with the result that any oil in the cylinder 294 and conduit 2 I3 will bleed back to the opening 229 and be returned to the reservoir 295 by way of radial passages 222 and axial bore 223 in the plunger 2 I4, passage 2I1 in the nut 2I6, and the conduit 2I8. Further functions of the valve 2I2 will be described following a description of th operation of the apparatus as a whole.

The hydraulic control system further includes a pair of pilot valves 229 and 259, which are identical in construction, so, that description of one will suffice for the other.

The valve 229 is in the form of a cylindrical casing having a reciprocable plunger 239 disposed therein, said plunger having an annular recess 23I therein and a second annular recess 232, which is spaced axially from the recess 23I and communijcates with an axial bore 233 in one end of the plunger by way of radial passages 234 and an axial passage 234a. The bore 233 communicates with an axial passage 235 in a nut 236, which is secured to one end of the valve casing, a spring 231 being interposed between the nut and plunger to normally maintain the plunger in the position shown in Fig. 26. The valve casing is further provided with an inlet port 238 and an outlet only necessary to remove the bolts or screws which hold the arm M1 in position, replace the gear 4I9. by a larger or smaller gear, 'swing the gear H I into mesh with the replacement gear, and lock the arm 4" in its adjusted position by means of the aforesaid bolts or screws.

It will be noted at this point that the drive from the flywheel I14 to the plate I11 is through spring-pressed balls I16, these balls normally occupying recesses in hardened steel inserts 293 in the flywheel. In the event of the apparatus becoming jammed, the balls I16 will be forced out of such recesses by the flywheel, and the flywheel will be free to rotate, without communicating its driving energy to the plate I11. This is a distinct safety feature.

Hydraulic control Hydraulic control means are also provided for automatically stopping the apparatus in the event of failure in the supply can tops.

port 239, the port 238 being in communication with the conduit 2I I by way of a conduit 249 and the port 239 being in communication with the inlet port of the valve 259 by way of a conduit 24! (Fig. 25). A discharge conduit 242 extends from the nut 239 and communicates with a conduit 243, which extends from the discharge port of the valve 259 to the reservoir 295.

The valve 259, as previously stated, is identical in construction with the valve 229, the only difference being that in the valve 22 9, the inlet port 238 and outlet port 239 are normally in communication by way of the recess 23I in the plunger, whereas, in the valve 259, such ports are not normally in communication with each other.

The conduits 2I8 and 24I are in communication with each other byway of a conduit 244. The conduit 2| I communicates with the inlet opening 2I9 of the relay valve 2I2 by means of a conduit 245,. and also with a conduit 245', which extends from the outlet port of the valve 259 and is in communication with an axial passage 24I' through a nut 242' in the lower end of the casing 2I2 of the relay valve. 

